dlpickering

OK. This is bound to stir up some controversy.

My question is – if someone stole your TL today, or God forbid it was totaled, would you run back to your Acura dealer and replace it with the same vehicle?

I guess I’m asking how much you really like your car. I will withhold my personal opinion until I hear from a few of you.

Thanks and all the best from the deep freeze – Ontario, Canada.

ncelk

The TL, G35, and Maxima/Altima would be on my short list.

Would depend on price more than anything else (how much I had to spend).

The TL is not perfect, but I find it a good overall compromise with decent build quality. Not perfect, but pretty good (excluding transmission issues).

vandy786

I would go for the following, listed in order of preference:

1. 2002 TLS (same)

2. 2004 TL 6mt

3. 2004 S2000 6mt

4. 2004 Accord Coupe v6 6mt

In other words, I still think I've got something special in my 31 month old 2002 TLS. This is considering all the new stuff that's out (G35, 6th gen Maxima, etc.). I'm in love with the look of this car, sorta like the old Legend. I am gonna buy one of those one day. The only thing I wish I had was a 6-speed manual and for that reason I have picked the other cars (#2-#4).

P.S. It bugs me that the 2004 TL lost the clean, sleeper look of the 2002-2003 TLS. It's a subtle feature that is a must-have for me

fsttyms1

i would go back for another tl but it would be a 04 Tl 6spd

Mr Zipps

Same here.. I've driven honda/acuras all my life and I would go back and get another TL... I would pick up the new 04 though...

njtls

i'd get a new f-350 kingranch dually...i hate not being able to go whereever i want

edgalang

I wouldn't...maybe I'd go for a 2004...but I'd never own the same car again, no matter how good I think it is. Same goes for replacements parts...like tires, brake pads, rotors, shocks, you name it. I'd basically want to try something new.

Even if I had a 2001 TL-P, I think going for a 2003 TL-S is too close of a vehicle to be considered an "upgrade".

tjohns

Nope! I'd get a G35 or used BMW Truck!

hemants

Given the same choices in 2002, I'd buy the TLS all over again.

However, now that there is a G35x (awd), I'd have to give that some serious thought.

I wish Infiniti and Subaru could take their styling and interior luxury cues from Acura or I wish Acura would put VTM-4 in the TL. It would be one killer vehicle.

In all honesty, I really like AWD but don't want to spend $70k on an Audi S4 (my A4 is a bit underpowered and Subaru interiors are bland).

P.S. My 35 minute drive from downtown to Bayvew/401 took me 1:45 yesterday!

TLinKC

Nope, I'd probably go with a G35, I35 or maybe a MB C series

hemants

I35 = old man's car
MB C = all show but not much go (other than the AMG), pretty boring to drive IMO

pmptx

S2000 to live the super quick convert dream. Don't like 3rd gen TL, so would look for 02 TLS. Dream sedan is M5. But there isn't a BMW that is worth the money.

99LagunaTL

I'd go out and get an '04 TL in a heartbeat.

dla208

I'd consider cars in this order:

1. G35 - as AWD is now available (NYers will understand)
2. '04 TL - nice replacement (I liked it during test drive)
3. G35 coupe 6mt - the closest you can get to BMW ridewise

my 2 cents

fred3113

I would be very hesitant to going to Acura to buy another TL, i am just pissed because i have had soo many problems on my 2000 tl, like trans, thottlr body, seats, seat heater, interior lights, squeeks, etc...

I would consider going for BMW!

2007AcuraRL

In a word "NO".

too many problems with my 2002 so I might as well give another nameplate a try. Not sure what I would get though. I need a four door sedan, so all the sporty coupes are out of the question for me. I hate the look of the frog-eyed G35; I35 is stylistically boring, and the Maxima is even worse (YAwn); (and so is the new generation TL btw, which looks way too much like its $7,000 cheaper cousin the TSX - absolutely baffles the mind why acura went and did that). The Lexis E330 isnt sporty enough; the Bimmer 540 is too much money (but a great car) the 3 series is also overpriced for such a small car. The 300 hp subaru WRX is just not for me even though its a huge bang for the buck. I like a sporty looking car and all, but that "towel bar" of a rear spoiler is too ricy and '20-something' for me. And its just too small inside. Even my TL is too small for the rear passengers.

I am planning to keep my TL for another 4 years (150k miles in total (unless it starts to worry me too much as i hit 100k miles and the end of the tranny extended warranty, in which case it gets sold in 2 years). Maybe there will be some new models out by then to choose from. Or I could pick up a low mileage E class. I love the redesign.

nick79

i think i would go with a 2006 TSX. yes i would wait for it. i would take the tsx because it is cheaper then the tl and i gotta use the insurance money and then add some.

Got_3.2?

iTrader: (2)

this is my 2nd one afta sume totaled my 1st 1 in feb.

goldendragon576

I would probably get the '04, but not another '02. As much as I love my car, I would want something new. For a new car, I would probably get the MB E500 or a BMW 5 series.

DrivebyTL-S 03

350Z, Im getting one in a little over a month

groebuck1

I went through with my dealer and Acura corporate in the first month of ownership?

Hell no - I would get an RX-8

r10apple

1-- New G35 AWD, manual sedan...
2-- New '03 Acura TL-S if can be found...
3-- Used '02 MB C32
4-- Slightly Used '03 GS430
5-- New '04 MDX
6-- New '04 TL

scottiew

I don't know what I would get should something like that happen. I personally think the MB C class is the "cheap" class. At least it looks cheap. BWM would be a consideration. I don't want a 2 door car (had a Z06 as a daily driver which sucked here in Houston). BWM is expensive for the value. Might consider a MDX. 04 TL is nice but not significantly nicer than my 03 IMO. I like mine better Doubtful I'd buy one to replace the one I have.

I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it.

Type S Lady

I would have to go with the same ABP TLS 03" no doubt. I would of course be finding a used one but I love my car and the color especially. Definitely go back and get the same.

dlpickering

Well I started this thread - I suppose it's my turn to answer my own question!

I love my '03 TL-S, it is just a fantastic car to drive. I looked long and hard at the G35 before settling on the Acura. I find the Infiniti/Nissan lines to be a bit too funky looking for my liking.

I've had no problems in my first year of ownership (touch wood!). Had my brakes checked a couple of weeks ago and I have about 70% remaining; that's after 27,000 kilometers.

Finding a suitable replacement tire proved to be a pain and I finally settled on the Continental ContiExtreme, 215/50/17. The tire is no noisier/quieter than the original Michelins. Much better snow traction; not as good on dry. My problem is I can't get these tires to balance up properly. Highway vibration is annoying the hell out of me. Next week, I am replacing a tire (already replaced one 2 weeks ago) and if this doesn't work, the tires are coming off.

$450+ to replace a fog lamp has also annoyed me to no end.

Anyhow, to answer my original question - NO, I would not run out and replace this very same vehicle. The '04 TL would not even be considered. I think our second gen cars are nicer looking than the '04.

I would probably take a serious look at an SUV, most likely the BMW. I might also look at the Cadillac CTS. I have no issue with buying North American. My last car was a 2000 GTP and it gave me 3 years of trouble free driving.

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents worth!

Z Factor

04 TL for me all the way

LS14ME2

I wouldn't buy another TL if you paid me....
Biggest POS I have ever owned...

vandy786

Don't consider the BMW X5. I know someone who has had so many problems with it that he is through with BMWs even though his dream was to get an M5 someday. Basically, the last time he went to the dealership to get the electrical system fixed (among a whole host of other things), they told him not to bring in the car for that problem because THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. Can you believe that?

2007AcuraRL

Whats the Deal with Acura raising the price of the MDX by $2000 for '04? its still the same old first gen design so why charge more for the same old-same old? Production costs couldnt have gone up by that much. Economies of scale say the more you produce, the cheaper the unit cost comes down.

Any news on when the truck will be redesigned? I'd rather pay $2k more for a new design (just like the new TL went up by $2).

dmac

I would buy another in a heartbeat

Ianbiz3

i have a 99Tl i would go for:

03 Type-S New

I35

or MAYBE wait on a 06GS until then old GS

r10apple

This coming from someone claiming to have owned a Pontiac and a Ford. Roit!!!

hemants

Mark my words.

The new Subaru Legacy GT for 2005 will make Acura, BMW, and Infiniti quake in their boots.

250hp AWD and nice styling cue's from what I have seen so far.

fahoumh

I would never get another TL

tjohns

Yep! Since I had the car, I've had to replace 2 tires before I reached 22000 miles. The dealer claims there is an issue with Michelin. Michelin claims it appears I hit a pothole and it wasn't a defect with the tire. They gave me 70% off the first tire as a one time courtesy. A month later another flat tire and 200 bucks out the pocket. Michelin won't own up to the issue...High performance tires my *ss.

As far as the fog lamp. Mines went out as well but it was under warranty so I didn't have to pay a dime for that.

DO NOT get the Cadillac CTS. The reviews for that car suck not to mention the powertrain is lacking tremendously. Cool looking car but the engine sux! BMW X5 would be the better choice.

vandy786

I hope you're joking right? In 2005, cars like civic si and mazda 6 may have 250 hp stock. While I agree that the Legacy GT looks great and the package sounds nice now, I'm afraid they are a bit too late to the scene. Besides, Subaru will never be considered an equal to Acura, BMW, Infiniti, and Lexus. It won't happen.

Type S Lady

I was thinking the same thing when I read his post but I was trying to be nice. Looks like he's use to crap cars!

LS14ME2

My T/A is a daily driver with almost 36K miles on it and has never
been to the dealer for anything...I wish I could say the same about my TL... Been to the dealer too many times for a
"premium" automoble...
Like I said, A POS....

LS14ME2

See my response to the other ricer....

Type S Lady

sniffle, sniffle